The Muskegon area's animal control and animal welfare system is being stretched by significant issues related to animal control and aggressive animals. This is the first in a series of stories examining the issues.

MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI -- Owning a thoroughbred pit bull has become a status symbol among many in the urban areas of Muskegon County.

The abundance of the controversial breed in the cities of Muskegon and Muskegon Heights is yet another part of the county's animal control issues, authorities say.

Law enforcement is dealing with aggressive, stray pit bulls and the shelters are getting the dogs brought to them by the dozens on a weekly basis, but find it difficult to adopt them out.

Muskegon and Muskegon Heights pit bull ordinances:

Some say the strict ordinances enforced by governing bodies is playing into the major issues surrounding the breed, including abandonment, a high number of euthanizations at the local animal shelters and animal neglect and abuse.

The overwhelming number of pit bulls coming into the shelter's is something Pound Buddies Director Connie Karry sees on a regular basis. The strict pit bull-related ordinances in most Muskegon County jurisdictions results in the dogs ending up at shelters or the pet owners abandoning them, she says.

"The community is allowed to breed them, but the governing bodies put these restrictions on owning them as pets. They define a dangerous dog as a pit bull, but the residents can breed them," Karry said. "The community government entities basically tie our hands. The pit bulls end up at our shelter and we get a bad rap for having a high euthanization rate, but we can't adopt them out with all the restrictions. We want our live release rate to go up. That means that dogs get out of there alive."

Other shelters in the West Michigan and Muskegon area see the same issues: Too many pit bulls being brought in and very few finding permanent homes.

Rose Casperson, director of the Noah Project, a privately owned, no-kill shelter in Fruitport, said the influx of pit bulls in Muskegon County is “ridiculous.” Casperson said it’s so difficult to adopt them out she has to think twice before taking them in.

“I will take a pit bull if I can adopt one out. It’s hard to adopt them out with all of the restriction,” she said. “In my opinion if you own a pit bull or pit bull mix, it should have to be spayed or neutered. Pit bulls account for over 50 percent of what is in shelters and it is ridiculous.”

Casperson said she understands why jurisdictions enforce some of the restrictions when it comes to pit bull breeds and does recognize the potential for the dogs to become dangerous.

“I’m not saying it’s a bad breed, but it does have jaw power more than your average dog. They do have the ability to hang on to something. They can hold their own body. No other dog can do that,” she said.

Left to right, Muskegon Police Officers Scott Hepworth and Casey Bringedahl and Meletta McClure, a Muskegon County Animal Control deputy attempt to coax a loose dog away from a house. The dog was reported to have chased a man while he was walking in the 700 block of Marcoux Avenue in Muskegon at about noon on Monday, Sept. 10, 2012. They were able to successfully capture the dog without injury.MLive/Ken Stevens

The city of Muskegon had a rash of pit bull-related incidents in 2012. A number of pit bulls were shot by officers -- some fatally -- because the dog charged or bit the officer.

In one case a Muskegon Heights man walking down the road was chased by a stray, unlicensed pit bull and was forced to stand on the roof of a car to avoid being bit. An animal control officer and a Muskegon police officer managed to capture the dog, which was brought to Pound Buddies.

Muskegon Public Safety Director Jeffrey Lewis said officers are in a position to defend themselves and they have the authority if need be.

"Pit bulls have gained that reputation that they will attack and they will chase. They can cause mass damage and it is a concern to us. Our department is trying to be vigilant in enforcing that," Lewis said. "Our goal is to not shoot the dogs. It’s to capture and get them to the pound."

Ideally, Lewis said he'd like citizens to take responsibility for their
dogs -- regardless of the breed.

“I always feel that it falls back on the citizens who own pets. These are rights that they can own these pets. There are a lot of responsibility in owning the pets. That goes for owning any animal. It’s not just pit bulls,” Lewis said. “They need to be able to control their dogs.”

The city of Muskegon Heights has encountered some of the same issues. It is difficult to adopt pit bulls out of a shelter because residents don't want to deal with all the strict city ordinances requirements, some say. As as result, the pit bulls are often euthanized at Muskegon County's animal shelter, Pound Buddies.

Muskegon Heights Police Chief Lynne Gill said its challenging for his officers to respond to loose dog calls when the resources can be used elsewhere.

“It utilizes manpower that frankly that could be used better. It could be used for more pressing issues. If animal control is available they take those calls, but if not,
we have to send one of our officers to get them. Lethal force some times has to be used,” Gill said.

“The pit bull population is so prevalent, the police don’t have time to drive around and find these pit bills.”

That’s why Gill believes tough ordinances are necessary, and if residents can’t abide by the ordinance then they shouldn’t own a dog. That should then alleviate the shelter’s woes, he said.

“We have a very aggressive pit bull ordinance. Our ordinance has the multiple facets to it. If your dog is a pit bull breed or mix and it’s not confined, it needs to be on a muzzle, a leash, and just like all dogs, pit bulls need to be registered,” Gill said.

“If your dog is a pit bull or pit bull mix dog then that dog should be confined to a cage with four walls, and a roof and a padlock on the door. You also have to have liability insurance. We can start to enforce the ordinance as soon as we get the call.

A real effort to enforce the city's dangerous animal ordinance kicked off back in 2005 and Gill said it remains a priority.

The 2005 effort stemmed from two incidents: A Muskegon police detective was bitten on the arm as he attempted to deliver a subpoena at a home at 3329 Glendale.

Two days later, a 12-year-old boy was bitten in the neck when a pit bull chained outside broke free and chased him.

Both victims required treatment at local hospitals.

Neither pit bull was confined in a securely enclosed and locked pen or kennel as required by city ordinance, police said.